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Writer's pictureSlackerman Music

What I’ve Learned After Publishing Music Online for Almost 5 Years

Updated: Jul 11

...Story time!

Just a small back story… I started making music online to learn Digital Marketing. When I lost my cushy corporate job, I realized I needed to upskill. However, I didn’t have a product to set up shop online and apply what I had learned from my years in Digital Marketing. Music was the most natural thing for me to make.

And this is what I have learned so far...

  • No, You Do Not Go Viral.

...Yay famous!
  • Don’t aim for virality. It just happens. You can try to make it happen, but without significant resources and manpower, it’s unlikely. Virality is often a flash in the pan. You get attention, but once it fades, it’s hard to maintain. Also, you don’t want to be an artist with millions of followers who can’t fill a 50-seat bar.


  • Marketing Music is Very Challenging.

  • Your music will face scrutiny, criticism, and opinions. But never stop. If it sounds good to you at the exact moment you made it, then it sounds good to you. If you’ve made something, stand by it. Do your best to make it sound good, to evoke emotions, and hope someone will notice and listen. How the audience reacts is beyond your control. You can only do your best. I also watched countless videos and tutorials on utilizing platforms, from uploading to setting up tags for SEO and building a website. I used Semrush and Google Analytics, but I was surprised by how music is culturally in a weird position. The search term "New Music" is tough but also low competition. There are millions of us out there, but not enough people listening. And truthfully, you’re probably not the generational genius you think you are. Another weird thing I learned is...

  • It’s No Longer About the Artist... But Also Not About the Art.


  • It matters in a small way. You can release an epic album or a 3-minute banger, but if you don’t know how to make heads turn, you’ll miss out. Many think the product should or would sell itself, but that’s not always true. The people who need to see or hear what you made, should be the people who will pay attention to you, stand by you, and help spread the word. You cannot present your bopping mumble rap to a metal head. I have seen some folks who started doing attention-grabbing TikTok videos unrelated to the music they make, and it seems to be working for them. I’m happy for them figuring something out.

  • It’s Not About Quantity, But Consistency (and Sometimes Quality).


  • Platforms demand consistent uploads. The content you generate keeps people coming and helps the platforms make money. What’s difficult for me is the idea of constantly creating new songs. Music cannot be made in minutes. But if you have a massive bank of pre-written work, you might have a chance. If you want to gain followers, upload at least 3 times a week. If you want to accelerate growth, upload 3 times a day for at least 6 months.



  • Performing Live is Still The Way to Go.

  • The best way to market your music is to actually go out in the real world and perform your songs. Don't dwell in Reddit, don't stay in Discord. Real, live performances create a personal connection with your audience and can help you gain dedicated fans. Performing live not only helps you build a local following but also gives you valuable feedback and exposure that online platforms alone can't provide.


Conclusion: Keep Creating and Stay True to Who You Are and Your Art After almost five years of publishing music online, I've learned that the journey is as important as the destination. It’s not just about going viral or getting immediate recognition. It’s about persistence, continuous improvement, and genuine connection with your audience.

Here are a few final takeaways:

  • Stay Consistent: Regularly upload your content to keep your audience engaged and leverage platform algorithms.

  • Embrace the Challenge: Marketing music is tough, but each critique and piece of feedback is an opportunity to grow.

  • Be Authentic: Whether through music, social media, or other forms of content, authenticity resonates with people and helps build a loyal fan base.

  • Diversify Your Approach: Experiment with different platforms and content types to find what works best for you and your audience.

Remember, success doesn’t come overnight. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. You also need to have your own definition of success. Yes, it is nice to have the numbers and all, but that is not what it is about. Keep creating, stay true to your art, and don’t be afraid to adapt and evolve. Your unique voice and persistence will eventually find their audience. Another Day, Slackerman





I write these kind blog posts just so I can share what I find out about digital marketing while doing this. I hope you find them informative and useful.

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